MOSCOW, November 12./TASS/. First supplies of S-400 Triumph long-range anti-aircraft missile systems to China are planned no earlier than in a year or a year-and-a-half, a source from the Russian system of military-technical cooperation told Tass on Thursday.

"Supplies are planned no earlier than in a year, or more likely, in a year-and-a-half," the source said.

The signing of a contract for the supply of S-400 to Beijing was officially announced in the spring of 2015.

"I would not disclose the contract details, but yes, China has indeed become the first buyer of the Russian newest air defence system, which only emphasizes the strategic level of our relations," Director General of arms exporter Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaykin said in April.

It became known later that India was planning to purchase 12 S-400 air defense missile systems.

The S-400 Triumph is a Russian-made long-and medium-range antiaircraft missile system designed to destroy all modern and advanced aerospace targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers (248.5 miles).

The S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) was developed as an upgrade of the S-300 series of surface-to-air missile systems. The system entered service in April 2007 and the first S-400 was deployed in combat in August 2007. Russia set up four S-400 regiments defending national airspace in the Moscow region, the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, and the Eastern Military District.